fbpx

120+ 5-Star Customer Reviews on Google & Houzz

Proudly Family Run & Independent Since 1993

Kitchens for Entertaining: Hosting at Home in Style

Kitchens for Entertaining: Hosting at Home in Style

With the festive season upon us and new year celebrations around the corner, many of us will be preparing to host friends and family at home. And the setting for these dinner parties and gatherings? Probably the kitchen. As the heart of the home, people tend to gravitate to the kitchen… partly because this is where delicious food and drink can be found.

At KCA, many of our clients love to host and high on their wish list is a kitchen perfect for dinner parties and home gatherings. There are many different ways that a kitchen can be designed for entertaining, depending on how you like to host. In this article, our designers share design ideas to inspire your kitchen renovation and help you host at home in style, whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a late-night knees-up.

 

The Perfect Party Floor Plan

Many of the kitchens we design today focus on multifunction, with open or broken layouts to facilitate family life. These multifunctional spaces can also make the perfect entertainment space, offering enough room for everyone to get together without feeling crowded.

A kitchen island or peninsula layout is ideal for entertaining, creating a dedicated work area to prepare and cook food with space for your guests to interact with each other and hosts in the kitchen. kitchens designed for clients that love entertaining will have an effortless flow between the various zones allowing people to transition through the phases of the night from drinks, canapes and dining to more drinks, dancing, and party games.

Seating and Socialising

Seating is one of the most important considerations when entertaining at home, and avoiding dusting off the camping chairs from the garage takes a little thought. A well-planned kitchen design will adapt to suit the occasion, quickly transitioning from daily breakfasts and family meals to a cocktail party. There are many options to consider, including:

Banquette Seating – This unlocks the potential of your floor plan by making the dining area more compact. A banquette also enables you to space your guests as needed to seat more or fewer people. Moreover, banquettes are also comfy and casual places for your guests to dine, drink and converse. Want to know more about banquette seating? Check out our blog – The 5 Benefits of Banquette Seating in Your Kitchen.

Breakfast Bar Seating – Another casual seating area, raised breakfast bar seating creates an ideal ‘bar’ feel. While it’s unlikely that your breakfast bar will provide seating for everyone, don’t worry because it works well as a place for people to perch as others stand and mingle.

Movable Dining Island – If you’ve seen our new showroom displays, you will likely have seen our movable dining island. If flexibility is high on your wish list, a portable kitchen dining island enables you to move your table to open-up floor space or create more seating around the table.

Make Space for a Wine Cooler

For people that regularly entertain, a wine cooler is a worthwhile investment. Storing your wine at the optimum temperature preserves its flavour and guarantees that your favourite bottle is always at hand. Where you position your cooler is key, some choose to place the cooler on the working side of the kitchen island, so it’s out of sight, while others opt to make it a feature and install it closer to the dining area or in a dedicated bar area.

Bar Area

Home bars have become popular as kitchens evolve into multifunctional living spaces. A home bar can take many forms, from a large pantry cabinet hidden behind closed doors to a dedicated open bar space that becomes a prominent feature within the kitchen. To elevate a home bar and add that touch of cocktail glamour, we recommend considering open shelving, mirror, integrated lighting, a wine cooler, and drawers for your bar accessories.

Another option is a separate dedicated bar area, a luxury indulgence for the ultimate party house with a generous floor plan.

Lighting For Every Mood

Lighting sets the mood and creates an ambience when entertaining. Beyond the necessary task lighting for cooking areas, your kitchen should also include ambient and accent lighting to suit evenings and hosting friends. Set the mood for each occasion with pendant lighting above seating areas such as the dining table and kitchen island. For an extra touch of glamour, accent lighting within the kitchen, such as in shadow gaps, plinths, shelves, handle rails, and glazed cabinets, creates a soft glowing light and stunning visual impact. Installing ceiling lights on dimmers is also a must-have to get the light levels right.

if you haven’t read it already, our blog – Designer Tips for Your Kitchen Lighting, has some expert advice that will help you plan your lighting scheme along with some of our favourite lighting setups and solutions.

Champagne Trough

No New Year’s Eve party or celebration would be complete without a bottle of bubbly on ice. Swap the champagne bucket for a bespoke champagne trough integrated within your kitchen worktop, a showstopper that’s sure to get your guests talking. A champagne trough keeps your drink of choice perfectly chilled and accessible throughout the evening, and for the moments when your kitchen isn’t in party mode, it’s also perfect for potted plants and fresh herbs.

Appliances to Cater Comfortably

Beyond the appliances for everyday use, you may consider the following to elevate your kitchen for entertaining.

Warming Drawer – These help with batch cooking, so you can prepare canapes or meals early and keep them at the perfect temperature ready for serving.

Secondary Fridge – A second fridge is always welcome when entertaining, providing much-needed space to store food, ingredients, and drinks. Locate the second fridge within your utility room or another area with easy access to the kitchen.

Second Dishwasher – If you host large groups, a second dishwasher helps keep worktops clear throughout the evening and makes cleaning up that little bit easier.

Coffee machine – For the perfect espresso martini or after-dinner coffee, a quality home coffee machine enables you to create barista-quality coffee for your guests with ease.

We can help you create a sociable kitchen perfect for entertaining.

Contact our showroom to speak with a designer and begin planning your new kitchen design for 2023.

 

Other Blog Posts

How to Style Slim Framed or Skinny Shaker Cabinets in Your Kitchen
Discover the latest kitchen trend: slim shaker cabinets and thin-railed doors. The new kitchen design trend thats bridging the gap between classic and modern furniture styles for a high-end, refined and minimalist look.

Kitchen Trends: Slim Shaker & Thin-Railed Doors

06/11/24
amazing modern grey l-shaped kitchen
In this article, KCA’s expert designers share valuable advice on transforming awkward kitchen spaces. Offering solutions for challenging layouts, like L-shaped spaces and structural pillars, with real-life examples and before-and-after photos. Discover how thoughtful design can turn any kitchen into a functional, stylish space.

How to Fix Awkward Kitchen Layouts

04/11/24
modern kitchen with banquette seating in the island
We share the five main benefits of banquette seating to help you decide whether it's right for your new kitchen.

The 5 Benefits of Banquette Seating in Your Kitchen

12/09/24
Rustic-modern kitchen with dark stone countertops and ambient under-cabinet lighting, blending contemporary style with a warm, natural feel.
Is a dark or black kitchen right for you? Our kitchen experts answer all of your questions and offer advice to help you decide.

Dark & Black Kitchen Design Ideas

14/08/24
kca-utility-room
In this kitchen design blog, we delve into the benefits of a utility room and share ideas and considerations to help you to get the most from yours.

Utility Rooms: The Engine of the Home

12/07/24
kca-kitchens-a-reimagined-kitchen-extension-living-space-6 (1)
Learn the top kitchen extension ideas for all sizes and budgets.

Inspiring Kitchen Extension Ideas

12/07/24
The True Value of a Kitchen, Beyond the Price: Q&A with Adrian Wing, Founder of KCA
Q&A with Adrian Wing, Founder of KCA

The True Value of a Kitchen, Beyond the Price

03/06/24
How to Design Your Kitchen With No Regrets from award winning kitchen design company KCA
Start designing your new kitchen with confidence and no regrets!

How to Design Your Kitchen With No Regrets

27/02/24
Kitchen trends 2024 warm and neutral tones
Discover our designers' insights on the top kitchen trends for 2024.

10 Kitchen & Interior Design Trends for 2024

29/12/23
a renovated kitchen with the before and after photo
Discover these amazing kitchen transformations to inspire your own.

Kitchen Renovations Before & After

26/11/23
small industrial kitchen with breakfast bar island seating, exposed brick wall and open shelving
Learn how to make a small kitchen feel bigger with these ideas.

10 Small Kitchen Ideas to Make Your Kitchen Feel Bigger

30/09/23
kca-kitchen-drinks-pantry-and-hide-away-home-bar
Twelve of our favourite pantry and kitchen larder ideas to inspire your new kitchen.

Larder Cupboard and Pantry Ideas for Your Kitchen

25/08/23
industrial-kitchen-design
In this article, we turn our attention to industrial decor. Find out more about this iconic trend and how to achieve a striking industrial look for your kitchen.

Get the Look: Industrial Kitchens

24/08/23
7-home-improvements-that-add-value-to-your-home-blog-2023-kca-kitchens
Seven home improvements that can increase your home's value.

7 Home Improvements That Add Value to Your Home

28/06/23
kca-tablet-on-site
Follow these 8 simple steps to find a trusted builder and set about creating your dream home.

How to Find a Trusted Builder for Your Home

17/05/23
a-light-and-airy-modern-kitchen_2400x1600_0003_layer-8
A 2022 report revealed independent kitchen companies are more popular than high street chains. Read this article to learn the 7 reasons why.

Independent Kitchen Company or High Street Chain?

01/05/23
modern-vs-bespoke-kitchen-guide3
Learn the differences between modular and bespoke kitchens and the benefits of each to help you choose the right option for your home renovation.

The Advantages of Modular Kitchens and Bespoke Kitchens

02/04/23
kca-kitchen-trends-for-2023
Our award-winning designers share their insights on emerging kitchen trends for 2023.

10 Kitchen & Interior Design Trends for 2023

30/01/23
elicious-boxing-day-recipes-using-christmas-leftovers
Discover how to re-imagine your Christmas dinner leftovers into delectable recipes for boxing day and beyond with these four delicious recipes.

Delicious Boxing Day Recipes Using Christmas Leftovers

22/12/22
christmas-dinner-cooking-guide-2019-v2
For us at KCA, Christmas day is about spending quality time with the family and of course, sitting down together for a lovingly prepared Christmas meal. Read our guide to the perfect Christmas dinner, with tips to prepare your meal in advance so you can spend less time in the kitchen on the day.

A Quest For The Perfect Home-Cooked Christmas Dinner

20/12/22
christmas-dinner-frozen-vegetables-in-bags
Learn how to avoid food waste this Christmas with our guide to freezing your Christmas Dinner leftovers.

A Guide to Freezing Christmas Dinner Leftovers

18/12/22
5 Christmas Cocktails for a Very Merry Christmas
From classic concoctions to creative twists here's 5 festive Cocktail recipes for a Very Merry Christmas.

5 Christmas Cocktails for a Very Merry Christmas

15/12/22
kitchen-with-bar_0002_763553-4-night
Love to entertain in your kitchen? Our designers share ideas to inspire your kitchen renovation and help ensure your new kitchen has everything you need to host at home in style.

Kitchens for Entertaining

01/12/22
dekton-kitchen-worktop-from-kca-ascot (1)
Considering ceramic worktops? Read this article to learn more about this material and its benefits.

The Benefits of Ceramic Worktops

25/11/22
kca-kitchens-modern-shaker-4
Our designers share 7 ideas to give your shaker kitchen a more modern look

Redefining Shaker: 7 Ways to Make Your Shaker Kitchen More Modern

24/11/22
product-infaltion-kca-5
Discover how supply chain issues and inflation are affecting the kitchen industry, and learn how to protect yourself from product and price increases.

Kitchen Supply Chain and Inflation Industry Insight

27/10/22
kca-boconcept-partnership-uk
KCA partnering with premium lifestyle brand BoConcept to offer our private clients and trade partners a premium, turnkey design and furnishing solution.

Working Together with BoConcept

01/08/22
fusion_round_black_kokend_met_model_8
Learn the top benefits and considerations of boiling water taps and discover our chosen best boiling water tap brand.

Boiling Water Taps: Your Ultimate Guide

27/07/22
kca-2022-renovation
We sit down with Jonny Wing, Manager of KCA, to discuss the exciting next steps for the Winkfield Showroom.

KCA Showroom 2022: An Inspiring New Design Experience

24/05/22
kca-mental-health-awareness-week-2022
Discover a list of resources for support in the UK and learn how cooking can boost your mood and wellbeing.

Mental Health Awareness Week: How Cooking Can Benefit Wellbeing

09/05/22
kca-dining-valentines-day
Recipes, restaurant boxes, cocktails and table setting ideas to make dining at home this Valentine’s Day extra special.

Dining at Home this Valentines Day

01/02/22
kca-trends-interior-colours-2022
Our award-winning designers share their insights on interior design trends for 2022 and the big kitchen and furniture trends for this year and beyond.

The Top Home Trends for 2022

03/01/22
kca-kitchen-budget-2021-3
Our KCA designers share their insights into how you get the most from your kitchen budget and how kitchens vary at different budget levels.

How Much Should I Invest in My New Kitchen?

02/12/21
sophie-reid-new-designer-2021
We are thrilled to announce that our KCA design consultant Sophie Reid has won “New Designer of the Year” at the Designer Awards UK 2021.

KCA Design Consultant Wins New Designer of the Year 2021

23/11/21
halloween-recipes-2021-kca
More than just a Halloween decoration we share some delectable recipes for pumpkin, guaranteed to make a spook-tacular impression on your family and guests.

Spook-tacular Pumpkin Recipes for this Halloween

20/10/21
12-corrie-gardens-9
Our KCA designers share some expert tips to help you plan your kitchen lighting scheme along with some of our favourite lighting designs and solutions.

Designer Tips for Your Kitchen Lighting

21/07/21
kca-trade-bg
10 reasons why you should consider KCA when looking for a trade kitchen supplier and specialist. An easily digestible summary for trades interesting in learning more about our industry-leading services.

Why Use KCA as Your Trade Kitchen Specialist?

20/07/21
quirky-contemporary-kitchen-in-berkshire-5
If you're dreaming of a kitchen full of natural light and a relationship to your garden, you'll love these 10 KCA kitchens that connect to the outdoors.

10 Inspiring Kitchens That Connect With the Outdoors

05/05/21
kitchen-remodel-1
Our design team and our clients provide their tried and tested tips for living in your home during a kitchen renovation.

Tips For Living In Your Home During a Kitchen Renovation

12/04/21
kca-kitchen-extension
An amazing kitchen extension for a family in Berkshire. Learn the full story of the transformation with before and after photos and tips from our designers.

A Smart Kitchen Transformation

15/03/21
kca-social-new
To celebrate KCA's 28 year anniversary we're joined Facebook and Instagram to connect with our clients and partners and share the latest projects from KCA.

KCA Now on Instagram & Facebook

01/02/21
kca-2021-trends-kitchen-green-and-pink
In the first of many blogs this year, we explore the trends that will inspire our homes in 2021.

Kitchen Design Trends 2021

04/01/21
kca-website-image-template-homepage
If you are planning a modern style kitchen project, this blog explores the design principles and characteristics of modern kitchen design with expert insights from our KCA designers.

The Characteristics of Modern Style Kitchens

23/12/20
daval-renzo-recycled-kitchen
One of our furniture partners, Daval, has received a Gold Award Win for 'Innovation in Kitchen Product Design’ for its sustainable Renzo collection.

Daval Receives Gold Award for Sustainable Renzo Collection

22/12/20
kitchen-appliance-design-by-kca_0002_interior-1019
Read our handy guide for advice and tips from our design team on finding the right cooker hood for your kitchen.

A Guide to Kitchen Cooker Hoods

08/10/20
kca-kitchen-design-award-2020
We are delighted to receive a nomination in the New Designer of the Year category.

KCA Announced as 2020 Design Award Finalist

30/09/20
kitchen-appliance-design-by-kca_0027_1m42396rev09-agius-high-res-6 (1)
Read advice for arranging your kitchen appliances and browse ten inspiring examples from real homes.

10 Smart Ways to Arrange Your Kitchen Appliances

22/07/20
shaker-kitchen
Discover 12 design ideas to customise your shaker kitchen to your own style, with photos of KCA kitchens from real homes.

12 Shaker Kitchen Design Ideas

26/05/20
kca-digital-dinner-party
Tips and tricks to host a memorable virtual dinner party. Learn the best apps and technology to use, how to set the mood and ideas to make the evening special.

How to Host a Digital Dinner Party

16/04/20
kca-green-modern-shaker-kitchen-5
In this article, we share advice on choosing the right shade of green for your kitchen along with two green kitchen mood boards to inspire your own green kitchen design.

Get the Look: Green Kitchens

24/03/20
how-long-does-a-kitchen-renovation-take-kca
Read our helpful guide to learn what the key stages of a kitchen project are and how long they each take, along with advice from our designers to keep your schedule on track.

How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?

06/02/20
kitchen-design-trends-2020
With the New Year comes a fresh start and a chance to make changes or rejuvenate areas of your life and what better goal for 2020 than the new kitchen you’ve been dreaming of. Learn what the top trends will be for 2020.

Kitchen Design Trends 2020

03/01/20
kca-festive-event-website-02
Join us for a festive afternoon event at our Winkfield showroom on Thursday 12th December.

KCA Festive Event

26/11/19
kca-kitchen-design-award-winner
KCA Wins 2019 UK Property Award for an industrial style kitchen in collaboration with EAB Homes & Alexander James Interiors, receiving the highest level 5 Star Award and an International Nomination.

KCA Wins 2019 United Kingdom Property Award

25/10/19
kca-tablet-on-site
There’s one thing that can make or break a business, and that’s customer service. We sit down with three of the leaders behind the KCA brand to learn how KCA has harnessed processes and technology to achieve a higher Net Promoter service score from their clients than John Lewis.

How KCA Harnesses Technology to Improve Customer Service

10/09/19
shaker-kitchen-design-by-kca
The shaker kitchen remains one of the most popular kitchen styles due to its timeless design, low maintenance and versatility to be personalised. Discover what a shaker kitchen is and its design benefits, along with shaker kitchen inspiration for your own project.

The Shaker Kitchen: Timeless Style Adding Value to Your Home

24/07/19
kca-kitchens-berkshire-kitchen-island-breakfast-bar-3
Square or rectangular? Dining seating or bar seating? There are so many questions to be explored when considering a kitchen island. We look at some of the benefits of kitchen islands and how to know whether it is the right option for you.

Kitchen Islands: To have or not to have?

30/06/19
371740-20
Good storage is key to making your kitchen enjoyable to live and cook in. Maximise space in your kitchen and make it a fun place to cook and entertain with our 8 simple kitchen storage ideas.

8 Essential Kitchen Storage Ideas

18/06/19

How to get the most from your kitchen Design Consultation

15/04/19
bespoke-hand-painted-shaker-kitchen-berkshire-2
Granite, Laminate, Quartz or Ceramic worktops? Read our handy guide to learn the benefits of each material and discover which is the best worktop for your kitchen.

Choosing the best kitchen worktop

27/08/18
copy-of-dsc_6786
Entertain your friends and family in your KCA kitchen with a private dining experience by La Belle Assiette.

Host a private dining experience in your KCA kitchen

27/06/18
miele-wine-conditioning-unit-banner
This month, we share our top Miele product pick for those hoping to achieve the perfect kitchen for entertaining.

Product Spotlight: Miele Wine Conditioner

17/05/18
daval-bedroom-furniture-21
The benefits of selecting fitted bedroom furniture over freestanding alternatives.

Why Choose Fitted Bedroom Furniture

19/04/18
neff-easter-lamb
Enjoy Easter in your KCA kitchen with this recipe by NEFF; A rack of Easter lamb with a herb crust.

Recipes by NEFF: Easter Lamb

27/03/18
davonport-3-for-web
A Q&A with the MD and Founder of Davonport Handmade Kitchens. We asked Richard Davonport about the benefits of investing in bespoke furniture and which styles and features he believes to be truly timeless.

5 Minutes With The Founder Of Davonport

21/03/18
cheese-bread-l
This traditional Georgian staple of baked bread is topped with three different types of cheese and finished with a perfectly cooked egg, ideal for an indulgent lunch or light dinner.

Recipes by Miele: Kachapuri Bread

27/02/18
how-to-choose-your-kitchen-flooring
When starting to think about a new kitchen project, you should take time and care over selecting the flooring that will underpin your new and often dramatically different look.

How To Choose Your Kitchen Flooring

23/02/18
january-blog-post-main-image
KCA’s top 5 tips for incorporating healthy choices into your kitchen design.

5 Tips For Healthy Kitchen Design

30/01/18
contemporary-townhouse-kitchen
KCA has won Best Of Customer Service on Houzz. Over 40 million monthly unique users nominated best home improvement and design professionals in the UK and around the World.

KCA Wins Best Of Houzz Award

19/01/18
kbb-award-finalist
KCA has been announced as a finalist for the biggest awards night in the kitchen industry.

KCA Announced as kbbreview Award Finalist

17/01/18
Welcome to our new Blog
Since 1993 we’ve been designing kitchens and bedrooms for prestigious properties and learnt a wealth of hints and tips along the way; knowledge we would like to share with you here on our Blog.

Welcome to our new Blog

12/11/17